August 2016 archive

August Finds and Favorites

Anastasia Sun Dipped Glow Kit

My newest find and current favorite is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sun Dipped. It is absolutely amazing. I saw it at Ulta Beauty — didn’t buy it. Checked it out on line. Didn’t buy it. Went back to Ulta to play with the tester. Still didn’t buy it. I held out as long as I could. I was on a no-spend makeup budget and trying to stick to it. The next day, when my husband was gone fishing, I made a trip back to Ulta and picked that baby up. I couldn’t hold out any longer. I went solo so my sister and granddaughter couldn’t be accused of contributing to my madness. Wouldn’t you know it — he called when I was on my way home!

“You aren’t out shopping are you?” he asked.

“Well, honey, to be honest, I am.”

“I knew it.” He chuckled. “Just watch the budget!” I was watching it all right and watching my platinum points build up at Ulta.

The Anastasia Glow Kit in Sun Dipped has four metallic powder highlighters to give your skin a luminous glow. Bronzed is an amber penny metal finish. Tourmaline is a warm taupe with a rose gold finish. Summer is a luminous sand color with a white gold finish and Moonstone is a radiant quartz with a pearl finish. Sun dipped works well on all skin tones but I’m really loving it on my ebony sisters. The shades can be layered or worn separately. Mix it up. You won’t believe how nice it looks.

Brush Alert

This is the recommended brush to use with this set — #23 by Anastasia Beverly Hills.

Be careful what brush you use when applying the product. Bronzing and multi-tasking brushes pick up and transfer too much product. Try a fan or a diffuser brush. These brushes don’t pick up as much product and give you the control needed to apply just the right amount of highlight. When I’m really feeling myself, I’ll dust the velvety-powder over my cheekbones and my décolletage.

Which Glow Kit is for you?

Anastasia Beverly Hills has five Glow Kits. One of them will be just right for you. Let me know which one you pick up!

A Few Favorites

Whether you’re a makeup wearer or not, clean, healthy skin is a must. The rotating brushes of Clarisonic’s face cleansing systems gently but effectively clean and exfoliate revealing younger-looking, more radiant skin. I love my Mia 2. It’s gentle enough for twice daily use and I don’t have to worry about damaging my skin. I also recommend Mia Fit. It’s smaller, fits into the palm of your hand, and tucks easily into a bag. Want softer skin that’s six times cleaner than skin washed with hands alone? Try a Clarisonic cleansing device.

Majorette (Benefit cosmetics) $29 provides a youthful flush and it’s the perfect cheek color to help you transition into fall. If you’re north of 40 and starting to have problems with fine lines, this cream-to-powder blush doesn’t settle into creases like powder products do. Is it WOC (women of color) friendly? It works well for me and my milk-chocolate sisters but it’s not the best option for dark-chocolate beauties. For them, I recommend After Glow.

After Glow (Iman Cosmetics) ($16) works well for all skin tones. It’s listed as a sheer finish bronzing powder but it works well as a blusher. This tri-color product is absolutely amazing. Swirl your brush through all three colors and lightly dust your cheeks for a beautiful blush. For a sun-kissed glow, use more of the golden-shade and a heavier product application.

Get the perfect pout with Jungle Queen by Lipstick Queen ($24). The papaya-coral color is simply gorgeous and complements all skin tones. It’s nourishing, hydrating, and totally kissable. (Little transfer of color and not sticky!) I love wearing it. If you’ve been sticking with neutrals and are ready to try something just a bit more avant garde – Jungle Queen is the one for you.

What didn’t I like?

Time Balm Face Primer® is my miss this month. My foundation does not go on smoothly when I use this primer. I’ve tried it with three different foundations and the results are the same. I feel like I’m tugging at my skin and not getting a good application. I’ve tried applying the foundation by hand, with a brush, or a combination of both and I just don’t like the results. I will not be repurchasing Time Balm Face Primer®.

There you have it — my August finds, favorites, and least liked product.

What are your August finds and favorites? What did you dislike?

Tell me about it in the Comments section. And, if you enjoyed this post, I would really appreciate it if you would subscribe. Like me on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest and check me out on YouTube at Makeup on Aisle 64.